Fostering Hope partners with Tasmanian Baptists to help Christians provide stable families and church communities for foster children.
Grow your Faith as a Mentor
Are you looking for a way to live out your faith? Do you think about foster care and how you could be involved, but not sure how? Do you have time to mentor a child who needs a caring adult?
“Having a supportive adult to be able to talk to [is important]. So being able to share if you’re upset, in trouble or whatever … it doesn’t really matter who they are, just as long as they have someone who is there for them.”
This is what the Fostering Hope Mentoring Program is about. Christians voluntarily meet regularly (perhaps weekly, fortnightly or monthly) with their special mentee to do an activity together and build relationship.
Here are two stories
Kylie* is a mentor to Rachel, an 11-year old girl in care, they meet once a month on a Saturday afternoon and do lots of different things together. Kylie is there for Rachel if she wants to talk about what’s going on for her or just to have fun! Kylie says:
“I just can’t thank you enough for this opportunity. It’s great for her to have the special time, it’s great for her carers to have a little break and it’s great for me to get out and do things I wouldn’t normally do!”
The second story is yours!
Compassion might look foolish to the world, but it is God’s way and the way we are called to live as well. Loving the orphan, the outcast and the widow may not be the usual way of the world, but we know it is God’s wisdom.
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:17 NIV)
But sometimes we don’t know what that looks like on a practical level. We may feel a disconnect between the faith we talk about with friends and we hear about at church, and the faith that we are living each day. We see injustice and know that God’s way is compassion, but what does that mean for us?
Living out compassion
At Fostering Hope we want to help you work out how you can show compassion to the often outcast kids in care. This might be through becoming a mentor or a respite carer. It doesn’t need to be a burden, but like we heard in the first story, it could be an incredible joy. It also means you will no longer wonder how you can live out compassion.
We are running a mentor training day in Launceston on Saturday the 29th of July.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or know someone else who you think would be interested, we’d love to connect and have you come along to the training.
Fostering Hope is a charity whose work comes from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus to ‘visit’ and ‘care for’ orphans and widows, to put the lonely in families, to love the fatherless, to care for children, and to love the neighbours in the communities.
Our vision is to reflect Christ’s love by supporting at-risk children and those who care for them. We work to raise awareness about this need, equip communities, and support foster, kinship and informal carers. One of the ways we provide wrap-around support for carers is through our mentoring program for their kids in care. We recruit, train, screen, match and support volunteer Christian mentors (like you!)
Jenna Blackwell, a member of the Tasmanian Baptists’ Mission and Leadership Development Team, gives insight into God’s amazing heart of grace.
Inner Critic: Why don’t you have everything together? Jesus’ gentle voice: Did you hear about the disciples I chose?
We are all too familiar with our inner critic. And in the midst of our humanness, Jesus whispers, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). God’s grace is not sufficient for just some people. It’s sufficient for you.
This might seem like an odd transition to talk about hospitality, but if we can’t accept God’s hospitality toward us, I fear we have little hope to offer the world.
In my recent ponderings about hospitality, I have felt God’s invitation to stretch and challenge my preconceived ideas. I am still learning a lot, but I offer to you a few key thoughts thus far:
Hospitality is a heart posture, not just an act or series of acts
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) says, “guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Hospitality is not just having some friends over for a meal. It is welcoming the stranger with the love of God. It is listening to one another’s burdens with the compassion of Jesus. And it is creating margin to be interrupted by Holy Spirit.
All our human effort cannot make us do this with longevity. It must be an overflow of the heart of God.
Our God is the King of hospitality
God’s heart is for the stranger and the outcast (in other words, for everyone). We particularly see this in the life of Jesus.
I love Jesus’ interaction with Peter in John 21. Peter, who boldly proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah, also denied knowing Jesus in his time of betrayal. But here, resurrected Jesus meets Peter once more on the shore. Following a failed fishing trip, Jesus shares a meal with Peter, restores his identity and invites Peter into greater transformation.
Jesus’ heart is for Peter.
If we want to extend hospitality, we must learn how to receive.
Like Peter, we must learn how to receive from God. Similarly, Martha’s sister, Mary, gives us an example. Luke 10 invites us to wonder: What was so good about sitting at the feet of Jesus?
But we must also learn how to humbly receive from each other. When we learn what it is like to receive grace without merit, gifts without the ability to repay, and hospitality when we feel like we have nothing to offer, then we can learn to extend hospitality with humility, gentleness and radical love.
All of this has me wondering, if the people of God embraced ‘radically ordinary hospitality,’* how might our wider communities be transformed with the love of God?
Radically ordinary hospitality can indeed be used by the Lord to grow his people in grace and sacrificial living, to preserve practices, ideas, and cultures… to change the world… but (it) must be rooted and steeped in grace.
When you think about it, we all often have opportunities to share radically ordinary hospitality – in a friend’s home, for a colleague having a rough day, for the stranger on the street, for your neighbour … for someone in need of God’s radical grace.
God’s gentle invitation
I’m learning how to practice hospitality in community. But in a simple way, I see the hospitality of God in the people I mentor and coach. In my privilege of being present and creating space, people find invitation to show up courageously. And as they do, they experience God’s gentle invitation to deeper transformation. They experience the whispering invitation, “my grace is sufficient for you, my child.”
It’s quite simple, quite every day, but it’s far from ordinary. In fact, it ends up being quite radical.
Provide emotional, social, and spiritual support to school communities…
Scripture Union has multiple chaplaincy positions available across Tasmania. Chaplains provide emotional, social, spiritual, and often practical support to school communities. They are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown, loneliness, depression and anxiety.
SU Chaplaincy models the compassion and unconditional love demonstrated and taught by Jesus, as recorded in the Bible. Chaplains will be sensitive to, respectful of, and available to all regardless of beliefs or religious affiliations. All SU Chaplaincy staff and volunteers are empowered and equipped to champion a child-safe culture, and are committed to the highest standards of safety and care in our work with children, young people and families.
In Cinemas – but you can arrange to watch at your church!
After being raised by a white family, a young girl is taken away and returned to the Aboriginal family she didn’t know. Decades later, she’s on a journey to discover where she truly belongs.
Brenda’s first memories were of growing up in a loving white foster family, before she was suddenly taken away and returned to her Aboriginal family. Decades later, she feels disconnected from both halves of her life. But the traumas of her past do not lie quietly buried. So, she goes searching for the foster family with whom she had lost all contact.
A great resource for your church or small group, the Values Project* is designed to help individuals, churches and groups reflect, talk and learn about our identity and values as communities of faith within the Australian Baptist movement.
The Values Project strengthens our sense of identity, encourages connectedness and community across our movement, and informs decision making and leadership.
Four free episodes are available, along with corresponding Scripts, Facilitator’s Guide, Discussion notes, and sermon ideas.
They are a great basis for discussion and understanding Baptists, particularly for those new to the movement.
The 4-5 minute videos each focus on one of our four values: 1. Jesus-Centred; 2. Community; 3. Mission; 4. Freedom
As reported in reCharge in November 2022, the Horn of Africa is suffering a severe famine. So it is encouraging to learn that in the recent federal budget, the government announced Australia will contribute $29 million from the Humanitarian Emergency Fund to partners in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
This includes:
$15 million to address increased humanitarian, displacement and protection needs of people in drought-affected areas in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.
$4 million to provide food and nutrition support to the most vulnerable in Yemen.
$10 million for food and monetary assistance to refugees and vulnerable populations in Lebanon and Jordan.
Have you heard City is moving to two new locations?
Our Sunday Gatherings will be held at The Boathouse, 55 Lindsay Street Invermay, for at least the next 12 months. The Boathouse is an attractive modern building in the Seaport precinct, overlooking the North Esk River and Trevallyn, and next to Riverbend Park. Our first Gathering there will be on 18 June.
Our Drop in Centre will remain operating on Saturday nights out of the Red Dove Café in the Pilgrim Uniting facilities in Paterson Street.
Hobart Baptist church is again running its mid-winter festival, Luminous. This is the third year for Luminous, which aims to shed light on important topics for the people of Hobart during Dark Mofo. The festival runs for two weeks from 8-25 June and hosts conversations around spirituality and hope and showcases installation art.
6pm, Thursday 8th June, FESTIVAL LAUNCH AND ARTWORK
Michael Henderson’s art installation opens. Michael is an artist based in lutruwita / Tasmania and his work is entitled: The Seed of Life, Weighed Down. He uses symbols and metaphors to tell stories about identity, faith and longing. The artwork will be open from 12pm-6pm until 16th June.
Over successive evenings with free refreshments, this year’s topics ask, ‘Is Tasmania A Place for Everyone?’; ‘How can we help Tasmanian Children flourish?’; and ‘How Do We Create Healthy Families?’ Each of the conversations are a safe space for discussion, and not just for people of faith. We value the unique journey and point of view each of our panellists can contribute.
CHRISTMAS IN WINTER – IN THE TAB
6pm Friday 23rd June Luminous Carols
10am Sunday 25th June A traditional Christmas Service
All are welcome to the festival and entry is free, but bookings for evening events (catering) are essential.
Perth Tabernacle’s coming events
Women’s Collective
For women in Launceston
Calling all women in Launceston and surrounds who are interested in growing in their faith-in-action journey. You might be leading or interested in leadership, serving, or wanting to grow in faith that leads to action. This is a new space for you! Join with other women who want a safe space to process and learn together.
No life qualifications necessary. This is not a small group, or a Bible study. It’s a collective of women who are serious about learning and living in the ways of our good God, doing the journey with others, and hopefully having some laughs along the way.
Jenna Blackwell is Tasmanian Baptists’ Mission Leadership Coach. Gabi Dunn works for the Anglicans. They are housemates, great friends, and peer supports in ministry. With the support of their organisations, they are collaborating to bring a new space for women.
No, they don’t think events/gatherings have to be gender-specific. But yes, they acknowledge the complexity of life and history, and that sometimes you just need a space with other women.
In this Sacred Agents blog, Crossover Director Andrew Turner explores how we can shift demographics by diving Into diversity.
My father always enjoys belting out Amazing Grace in church, not least because he likes to tweak the second line to “…that saved a wretch like TREVOR SMITH” (or some other friend within earshot). God’s grace for people like you and me (and Dad) is truly amazing. Amazing too is his grace for people who are unlike you and me.
As such, God’s Spirit is often prompting and challenging us to see a greater diversity in our churches and groups. How often have you said or heard, ‘It would be great to have more [insert demographic] people here’, referring to a missing segment that might be generational, racial, economic, intellectual, or something else in nature.
It just doesn’t seem right for God’s family to be segregated, so we want to listen to those nudges of the Spirit. But what to do about them?
Possible Steps
There’s a whole range of possible steps, and let’s put them along an imaginary spectrum:
Down one end would be practical and immediate actions, such as going straight to the people you’d love to have with you and simply inviting them. Thoughtful arrangements to make space for them would be down that end too.
At the other end of the spectrum are deep, underlying heart issues and systemic norms that may need to be addressed. These might include raising awareness, prayers of repentance, symbolic steps towards reconciliation, and contemplating your way through a heap of books and conferences.
The trouble is, where to start? If you start at the first end, you hope to solve the issue within a fortnight. But your efforts may quickly be stymied by the systemic and underlying stuff. “We saw that we were missing young people, so we invited them, they didn’t come, so I guess we can say we tried.”
But if you start at the other end, you can feel that any real progress will take 100 years. And you can take 100 years of talking and praying and thinking about the people you’re missing, and wondering whether your group is even a thing that would be good for them, and even whether your group should exist at all.
It means well at first, but it can become busy work that is essentially procrastination which perpetuates the status quo. You are always inching closer to, but conveniently never achieving the aim. “We can always say that we’re taking steps.”
So what do we do?
How can we make real progress to see the body of Christ actually come together more fully? I suggest starting at both ends at the same time. Each will serve the other. The practical end will bring to light what underlying work is (and what isn’t) necessary, and the underlying work will shape the practical actions to be less and less clumsy and more and more wholehearted.
May the Spirit give us all the wisdom, humility and love we need – and also all the shrewdness, daring and energy of faith – to be effective agents of reconciliation as the body of Christ builds itself up in love.
Andrew Turner is Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries.
Crossover exists to Help Australian Baptists Share Jesus. Browse all our resources on crossover.org.au
ATTENTION ALL CHURCH SECRETARIES, DEACONS and leadership teams!
Tas Baptists’ Administrator Rodney Marshall explains the new legislation our churches must engage with.
On the 30th of May the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act passed the houses of parliament, fulfilling the Sate’s responsibility to enact the 10 Child Safe Principles and to establish an Independent Regulator.
The 10 standards mirror the recommendations from the Royal Commission and the principles developed by the Australia Human Rights Commission. Their scope encompasses all forms of harm to children and young people, in addition to child sexual abuse, requiring adherence to the following …
The Ten Standards for Safe Churches
Standard 1
Requires organisations to ensure that child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Standard 2
Ensures that children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Standard 3
Ensures families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Standard 4
Guarantees that equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and in practice.
Standard 5
Requires that people working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
Standard 6
Requires processes to respond to complaints and concerns to be child-focused.
Standard 7
Expects that staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
Standard 8
Requires physical and online environments to promote safety and wellbeing, while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
Standard 9
Sees regular review and improvement of the child and youth safe standards within the organisation.
Standard 10
Ensures policies and procedures document how the entity is safe for children and young people.
In addition
As well, there is an additional overarching principle that embeds the right of Aboriginal children and young people to cultural safety which sits across all 10 Child and Youth Safe Standards.
What churches need to do now
Several years back, at the request of our insurers, Tas Baptists churches updated their policies to incorporate these standards. The main task that remains is to appropriately train and support our workers and volunteers.
Training completion date: 1st January 2024.
Matt Henderson (S), Owen Muskett (NW) and Linda Guy (N) have agreed to assist by providing training around the state. In addition, online training will be available in the Safety Management Online system. Once the trainers are trained, Workshop details for each region will be made available.
So as to comply with the new laws we need to ensure that everyone 18 and over, who ministers (has direct care or gives spiritual direction) to a person under 18, understands the principles and their application.
I hope the workshops will answer most of your questions, but if you would like to check on something before then please contact me on 0407 903 620 or rodney@tasbaptists.org.au
Christian author Mel Saward contemplates what we can do to help our children and youth become strong Christians.
Discovering Deep, Resilient Faith
Many statistics have emerged over the last few years that have painted a jarring picture of the state of faith for Millennials and Gen Z. But none quite so shocking as a study completed by the Barna Group recently, finding that 75% of young Christians will leave church.
But there is hope. Unlike other studies, this one listed common factors present in the 25% who stayed.
These included:
Eating dinner five out of seven nights a week as a family
Serving WITH their families in a ministry
Having one spiritual experience in the home during the week
Being entrusted with responsibility in ministry at an early age
Having at least one faith-focused adult in their lives, other than their parents
It must be noted that this was a rather helpful study!
Finally, something constructive we might all be able to implement for our children. But despite the usefulness of this information the resounding questions still remain: How is this possible? 75%? Do these small habits really make such a significant difference?
The habits seem so simple! There are at least three factors out of the five that have nothing to do with church itself! Were any of these factors present in the 75% too?
There is something missing
Maybe it is this simple. Maybe there is more to this. But what can’t be denied is that there is something missing in the Millennials’ and Gen Zs’ experience of faith, that is often observed through their relationship with the Church. Surely that is demonstrated rather clearly in these statistics.
In my latest book, Deep Faith Resilient Faith, I examine what I believe to be the cause of this phenomenon. The missing piece is DEPTH.
It has always been a temptation in our Christian culture to become preoccupied with external matters and not those of the heart. From the day the church began, there were smaller sections that concerned themselves with rituals. And in the generations just prior to Millennials, church attendance has been the universal sign of commitment to Christ.
While I suspect such observable signs do matter, they have never completely expressed the true picture of a changed heart. Church attendance was not the goal of our faith, the goal was always to be a disciple: something that is clearly seen in the five factors above.
Church attendance was not the goal of our faith, the goal was always to be a disciple
Signs of depth
These five factors are all signs of a whole community discipling a child: parents, church leaders, and the larger church community. Truly, they are signs of depth and the priority to instil a deep faith in the next generation.
Depth of faith is critical, as scripture proposes many times: it was the depth of the soil that determined the response to the seed (Mark 4:5), it was deep digging that stabilised the house built on the rock (Luke 6:48). And so we must explore for ourselves what a deep faith looks like, so that we can exemplify it for the next generation.
This is the goal of my book. It meticulously unpacks depth in action, and how we can attain it. As you can imagine, the book is quite challenging. But confronting such truths also gives us the greatest hope we could ever have in our faith.
What they need
The fact is: the next generations need us. They need those who come before them to demonstrate through the life we live, the kind of depth and meaning that a faith in Jesus can bring. Honestly, they don’t need us to nag them, to judge them, to be frustrated by them.
They need us to be willing to take up our cross, forego our comforts and go deeper than we have ever gone before. Because the Gospel has always been enough to satisfy all of us, from generation to generation.
Melanie J. Saward is a Christian author and communicator – meljsaward.com
Every so often you fall over some gem, hidden in plain sight, in God’s Word.
The more you stare, almost in disbelief, at the opening statement of Psalm 91, the more unbelievable it seems. After learning the psalm by heart, the enormity of the truth displayed, dawns.
Perhaps some are slower to appreciate God’s love so obviously shown to whoever might want to be acquainted with it. Anybody at all! You or me.
There is no mistake though! The guarantees He gives for your presence in the Secret Place, are awe-inspiring.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)
The foundation is that if you do dwell in this secret place, you are in fact in the presence; the protection; the radiance; the love; the guidance of the Creator of the universe.
Once you say: “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust”, the walls he erects to protect you are nothing short of amazing. On an on!
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalm 91:2 (NKJV)
Almighty protection
In the refuge, under the softness of His wings of protection, you will not experience diseases or pestilences. Just hide behind His truth for protection from bullets during the day and diseases during the night; or even sudden destruction during the day.
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge;
Psalm 91:4 (NKJV)
Everyone around you may be struck down, even close by, but it shall not come close to you. Just look and see how the non-believer fares, He says.
A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
Psalm 91:7 (NKJV)
Even more stunningly, here follow some more guarantees because you have made the Lord the Most High, your refuge, “No evil shall befall you”!
Neither shall any plague come near your place. Not only that, but He will also tell His angels to look after you in the way you live.
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:9-11 (NKJV)
And there is much more!
They shall carry you in case you hurt your foot on a stone. You will also be enabled to stomp on a lion and a cobra under foot.
In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
Psalm 91:12-13 (NKJV)
God’s love becomes really apparent when He says: “Because he has set his love upon Me therefore, I will deliver him”. “Ï will set him on high because he has known My name”. (Psalm 91: 14, NKJV)
He will give us an answer when we call on Him. As well, He will be present when we are in trouble and deliver and honour us!
He will satisfy us with long life and then show you, and me, His salvation.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him . . . With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
Psalm 91:15-16
What does it really mean, to you, now?
There is a real resting place available. A real spiritual power base in which we are one with our God and Father. One with all life and all power, with all presence of “I am, I am, I am”.
You can then listen to the silence. The peace for those who wait to hear “All is well”.
In this closeness we can, and should, tell Him what we need and want, so our lives can proceed in harmony and a happy wellbeing.
Sadly, only a few come here because they are persuaded that circumstances control our lives.
The truth is, incredible though it may seem, indirectly the soul directs its own path in this, God’s Law. It becomes obvious that He wants to fulfill our slightest wish and want. Our only requirement is to believe and trust in the power of our Father, our company and Maker.
Only believe and this ultimate reality becomes the reality of our lives. We create our reality when we see through the eyes of God.
Psalm 91 shows the way, all we need to do is to apply the principles He has laid out for us to follow. So simple! If it was difficult, who would be able to do it?
Rest your weight on this psalm and be greatly blessed.
May God bless you always!
Frans Ammerlaan plans to publish a book of devotionals he has written, this one included.
Calling all women in Launceston and surrounds who are interested in growing in their faith-in-action journey. You might be leading or interested in leadership, serving, or wanting to grow in faith that leads to action. This is a new space for you! Join with other women who want a safe space to process and learn together.
No life qualifications necessary. This is not a small group, or a Bible study. It’s a collective of women who are serious about learning and living in the ways of our good God, doing the journey with others, and hopefully having some laughs along the way.
Jenna Blackwell is Tasmanian Baptists’ Mission Leadership Coach. Gabi Dunn works for the Anglicans. They are housemates, great friends, and peer supports in ministry. With the support of their organisations, they are collaborating to bring a new space for women.
No, they don’t think events/gatherings have to be gender-specific. But yes, they acknowledge the complexity of life and history, and that sometimes you just need a space with other women.
Jenna Blackwell; Gabi Dunn
Advocacy and support for Myanmar
National Council Resolution:
Adopted 17 May 2023
The National Council of Australian Baptist Ministries [ABM] stands in solidarity with all the church communities from Myanmar that are members of State Unions affiliated with ABM. We grieve with them as they witness their family and friends displaced, persecuted, and killed at the hands of the Myanmar military.
We note, that according to the United Nations, an estimated 1,584,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) were reported across Myanmar as of 30 January 2023, and there are more than 1 million refugees and asylum seekers in neighbouring countries. Church buildings have been destroyed and pastors detained.
We call on the Australian government to:
Increase humanitarian visas to refugees from Myanmar, particularly from ethnic areas such as the Chin, Kachin, Karen and Karenni States. This is where people have been displaced and waiting for settlement for upward of 35 years.
Increase humanitarian aid to these ethnic areas that struggle to receive international support due to Myanmar Government restrictions.
Increase pressure on the Myanmar government through further sanctions against individuals and companies associated with the Myanmar military. In addition, with further action at ASEAN and the UN.
Increase pressure on the Indian Government to issue exit permits to refugees who have already been granted Australian visas.
We commit ourselves to prayer, to continue to speak out on behalf of the people of Myanmar, in particular those connected to our church community members from Myanmar, and we commit to providing material support to displaced communities in Myanmar and border refugee camps.
Alongsiders
May Mission Month
No matter where you are, you can journey alongside your neighbours and friends. Being an alongsider means listening, showing hospitality, bringing peace and humbly sharing the good news of Jesus.
It means praying and seeking the Spirit’s leading. It means loving the people God has put in your world, as well as loving the world.
Being an alongsider means sharing God’s love in genuine, active and relevant ways. It means partnering together with each other and God – sending and being sent, giving and receiving. Working together as partners in God’s mission.
Watch the video to find out more …
Stamps for Overseas Mission
Help raise funds for Baptist Mission Australia
For over 50 years, Australian Baptists have collected and sold postage stamps to raise money for Baptist Mission Australia (baptistmissionaustralia.org/Support/Stamps!) . This simple fundraiser generates about $70,000 every year!
Accumulations, old stamp albums, postal history and other stamp memorabilia are also very welcome.
Jill Ashdown, of Gateway Baptist, oversees this ministry in Tasmania, and anyone can assist by collecting stamps. Stamps received by our churches can be delivered to the Tasmanian Baptist State Office at Riverlands Longford.
What to do
Prepare the stamps by cutting the stamps off the envelope, leaving a 5mm border around the edge.
Collect a bundle in a box, envelope or bag.
Drop them off to Riverlands Longford, 159 Wellington St, Longford. The office is open 9am-12pm Mon/Tues/Thur/Fri. Or else, call to arrange a suitable time: 6391 2202.
Other questions Contact the Tasmanian ‘stamp lady’ Jill Ashdown: 0439 354 849 or mjashdown@netspace.net.au
Stamp sorting and trimming night at Jill Ashdown’s place
23rd Baptist World Congress
Living the Good News
Brisbane, 7-12 July 2025
Watch the video explaining the symbolism behind of the logo for the Baptist World Congress 2025.
The Creation Discovery Centre
Good conversations
The Creation Discovery Centre, based at Seahorse World Beauty Point, has had an amazing summer tourism season. The Centre is run by many of our people who attend The Point Baptist Church, which also meets on the premises.
A display at the Creation Discovery Centre
During the summer, many hundreds of visitors including numerous non-believers have taken Christian resources, Bibles and tracts. We praise God for one woman who gave her life to the Lord at the centre in March.
Email Craig Hawkins at tas@creationdiscoverycentre.com if you would like to hear about the latest developments and testimonies from the museum.
Here are a few stories:
Di is an atheist who came in seeking answers and left encouraged with a Bible after hearing the gospel.
Mark and Betty came in to buy fossils for their grandson at the end of the day. Two hours later they left after going through the museum, which was not part of their original plan. Mark said, “I have never before heard the message tied in with real history.” They were both very interested and took Christian resources with them as well as a couple of fossils for the grandson!
Pray for Carla who had been witnessed to for over three years by a faithful Christian and came in while a school group was receiving a presentation. After a while she went to the front counter to speak with Rachelle and her friend saying, “It all makes sense now”. She repented of her sins there and then, which included occult involvement, and now needs to find Christian connections in the rural area where she lives.
New campaign highlights the human cost of our global plastic waste crisis
The Rubbish Campaign, by Christian agency Tearfund, is highlighting the human cost of the global plastic waste problem and calling on Australian households to join the effort to address this rubbish crisis.
As Australian Christians, let’s unite to address the urgent waste crisis that is unfolding: in our households and around the world. Already suffering the worst impacts of COVID-19, extreme weather and hunger, growing landfills are making poverty worse for vulnerable communities around the world.
Between 2000 and 2019, plastics production doubled and plastic waste generation more than doubled, with nearly two thirds of this coming from plastics with lifetimes of under five years. (OECD, 2022).
Tearfund is encouraging Australians to be part of the solution and to demonstrate their care for their global neighbours by signing their petition.
The petition calls on the Australian Government to do all it can to influence global negotiations and ensure that this plastics treaty helps end the world’s rubbish problem.
Weekly Sunday Cafe Please get in touch for locations
4pm, Adults
4pm, Young People
Bread Run 6:45-7pm, Tuesdays More than just picking up the remainder of the day’s bread from a local bakery, this is a time for people to pick up pre-cooked meals (when available), coffee, and discussion.
Home groups Please get in touch for locations
10am, Thursdays
7:30pm, Thursdays
Ladies Craft Group 1:30pm, Tuesdays
Men’s Fellowship 10am, Alternate Wednesdays
Perth Baptist has a long-standing relationship with the residents of Eskleigh Home for people with disabilities
ABOVE Scenes from May Assembly held at Newstead Baptist, 5th/6th May 2023
We areTasmanian Baptists
Well-Grounded . . .
. . . is the Theme for2023
The Gospel mission, Baptist structures, our changing society, our church responsibilities, our challenges as Christians and the escalating needs of our world were all highlighted at the May Assembly.
There was a strong sense of looking at how the here and now will affect the ongoing and future function of mission. There was an emphasis on harmony, working together, following Jesus and making him known.
What’s happening in the world
Strong messages about exploitation, the complexities of mission and current social attitudes were given by Paul Manning (Baptist World Aid), Geoff Maddock (Baptist Mission Australia), and Tas Baptists’ Mission Director Stephen Baxter.
Each invited us to consider what is happening in our immediate contexts and in the global context of social thought and business practices.
The changes in our society and world challenge the work of churches
Stephen Baxter spoke of the vacuum that is left in society when there is a deliberate move away from the values that formed it, a rejection of the idea of a higher authority, and no concept of God. He presented the heartbreaking outcome of this decline in terms of an increasingly individualistic society where there are rising levels of anger, violence, broken relationships and children in care.
Stephen challenged us to be Jesus-centred, committed to mission, building community and operating in freedom to be the best that church can be.
We heard elements of these principles in reports from the churches. It is always encouraging to see how people are addressing the issues in their context, working with what they have and seeing growth in attendance, ministries and impact.
[Continued below slideshow …]
Get a Glimpse with the Assembly Slideshow
May Assembly at Newstead
Friday night dinner
Dan Evenhuis on Friday night
Dan Evenhuis speak about the Nepali church
Saturday: The Band leads worship
Chair, Scott Ambrose
Stephen explains ‘Well-Grounded’
Jenna leads Communion
Lunchtime spread
Jenna and Thelma
Malcolm and Alan
The Two Dans
Janine, Peter and Anthea
Matt Garvin (for TB Council)
Paul Manning (BWA)
Stephen Baxter with newly inducted pastprs, Franz Brosch (with Heidi) and Anthea Maynard
God is good!
There was talk of sowing seeds of hope, faith, discipleship and the breaking down of generational and social barriers. The general message was that the work is hard and never ending but God is good. Geoff Maddock’s idea of inhabiting and living out the treasure of the Gospel is highly motivating and relevant to all of us as followers of Jesus.
There was a strong sense of looking forward
Throughout the day, there was a chance to catch up with others and hear about their journeys. There was a strong sense of looking forward, of continued commitment to mission, and of operating in the freedom of the gifts that we have been given for service.
Kairos education opportunity
It was good to hear about the planned Theological Education course through Kairos University, specifically structured for our Tasmanian context, to equip people for ministry. This also is consistent with the views expressed by the speakers of looking for a new approach to meet needs and building the strength of our spiritual witness in our State by enabling students to pray, plan and learn together.
We pray that this localised training will be transformational and, as Stephen said, that Tasmania will be, “not fragile because of numbers, but agile because of courage.”
Let’s boldly speak the name of Jesus
It was reassuring to see that the strategic plan that has had many hours of analysis, planning and discussion poured into it is leading us into a new phase described by Matt Garvin as ready to “…stop talking deconstruction and talk construction; move from closed to open; move from ideas to actions”. For what purpose? To speak the name of Jesus into poverty, rejection, abandonment, loneliness, disappointment and grief and to see healing and life emerge from the darkness.
Thanks to all involved in Assembly for the encouragement to stay well-grounded and outward looking.
This report of the May Assembly 2023 was written by Linda Guy, Gateway Baptist Launceston
Every two months you can catch up with the latest news in Tasmanian Baptist Churches.
North
GATEWAY
Combined service
On Sunday 30th April we had one of our 5th Sunday Combined Services in which people from Gateway, Agape and Gateway Nepali Fellowship join together. These have been so enjoyable in the past and we anticipate another great meeting.
Plans for May Mission Month
During the month of May we will have a variety of speakers sharing of a number of Missions Gateway is connected with, including Prison Fellowship, Shoe Boxes, Thailand, Haiti, Shekinah House, Rahab Ministry,
Stamps!
Gateway Ladies Pizza and Stamp Cutting Night took place recently, where they trimmed stamps in readiness to be sent to QLD to raise funds for Baptist Mission Australia. The used stamps, and national collection raises approx. $70,000.00 every year! Gateway member Jill Ashdown is the “Tasmanian Stamp lady”. Read how to participate in the Stamp ministry in the NEWS, next week.
Gateway Nepali Fellowship; Missions Stamp Group meet
CITY BAPTIST, Launceston
Easter | Your prayers appreciated!
We had lovely services over Easter – the Good Friday reflective service was a particular highlight for many, working through a Protestant take on the Stations of the Cross.
City Baptist is still prayerfully seeking a more permanent home to gather in – we would appreciate your prayers for/with us as we seek God’s guidance.
Impacting our community
Members in our community continue activism and pastoral work among migrant communities, the street community and with regard to climate action, representing Jesus’ (and our) heart for going to the margins.
Jeff McKinnon and Garry Billing have started a home-grown discipleship opportunity titled Learning Circles, for people of all backgrounds, who are interested in growing in discipleship, spirituality and mission – learning the ways of Jesus. If you would like to know more, please contact Jeff (jeff@citybaptistchurch.net).
IN OUR THOUGHTS
John Tomkinson passed away in late March. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Gwen and the family.
David and Pat Jacobs celebrated a milestone wedding anniversary.
NEWSTEAD
Hutchison Family Update
Newstead Baptist Church is very pleased to announce the safe arrival of its newest member, a baby boy, Rafael (Raffy) Warren Hutchison. Raffy was born at 1:56pm on 3rd April and weighed 9.8 pounds (4.46 kgs).
Congratulations to Dan and Maria, Skylah, Octavia and Boaz for this exciting addition to the family. Pastor Dan is on leave until May 17 to be with his family.
Dan with Skylah, Octavia and Raffy; Playing Scrabble at the Drop-In Centre
Drop-In Centre
Our Friday Senior’s Drop in Centre has recently dropped the “Senior’s” from their name in order to better align with our Strategic Plan.
People of all ages are now welcome to attend the Drop-In Centre each Friday from 1pm until about 3:30pm. Activities include good conversation, tea and coffee, yummy food (cake on special occasions!), darts, eight-ball, and a range of board games including scrabble and upwords.
We really appreciate the willingness of the older members of our congregation to embrace change and the future vision of our church and we look forward to what is in store for this special ministry.
Family Fun Walks
Newstead Baptist Church has partnered with Scripture Union to promote a series of Family Fun Walks. These monthly, short family-friendly walks, are on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 pm, and easy to get to for those in or near Launceston.
All walks are manageable for families with young children, although not all are pram/stroller-friendly. Our walks so far have been a great opportunity to meet new people and create deeper conversations around our discussion topics. For example, “Are you feeling full or empty?” for recent Trevallyn Dam walk.
All northern Baptist Churches are invited to join us at any of the upcoming walks listed below. This list of walks, along with Scripture Union’s bushwalk series, can be found at https://bootsnall.sutas.org.au, including some useful preparation and safety tips.
Anyone from other local churches or the surrounding community are also welcome.
Upcoming walks
4th June Youngtown Regional Park
2nd July Lilydale Falls
3rd September Gorge Circuit
8th Octobe Tamar Island
10th November Old Macs Farm
THE POINT
Baptisms
The church was blessed with the baptism of the Cousens family at Greens Beach on the 24th of March: Adam, Sarah, Erica and Tom. So great to see the family growing in the Lord.
Passovercelebrated
On Palm Sunday, The Point Baptist Church welcomed Mark Rogers from The Friends of Israel, who conducted a Passover Seder meal as part of the Sunday service. The event was greatly appreciated by the church, and helped understanding of the significance of the Passover event.
Baptisms at Greens Beach; Mark Rogers of Friends of Israel
Northwest
LATROBE
Harvest Festival
On March 19th we celebrated our Harvest Festival. The bread, water and the sheaf of wheat along with the Bible, were centre of place, as they remind us of the basic things needed for life.
Food items were brought and displayed, and Pastor Ralph shared with us a reading from Leviticus reminding us of the need to be continually thanking the Lord for all our provisions.
The food was available for purchase after the service and the money raised along with remaining items was given to Gran’s Van. Gran’s Van operates in Devonport to help feed the homeless and people struggling to feed themselves.
SASSAFRAS
Please pray!
Although it would be true to say our congregation is “getting on”, we have suddenly experienced quite a few ‘sickies’!
Please pray for David’s back op; Sheryl’s leg op; Gordon’s cancer struggle; Jean and Karl’s Covid attack and Frans’s back attack! That is a third of our church! Join us to pray for their rapid recovery in every aspect of this attack. We ask in Jesus’s Name:
“Ask in my Name and I will do it”!
John 14:14
WESTBURY
Welcome little Macey
On 18th March, Pastor Matt Holloway, Lacey and big brother Larry welcomed Macey Kate into their family. Let’s celebrate with them for a safe arrival.
Matt and Lacey with Larry, and Macey
WYNYARD
Strengthening our community
Recently, 17 of our ladies enjoyed a day out with JUST GIRLS to Stanley, where they visited Highfield House, and Joe Lions cottage.
Many people attended a day of fun and fellowship at the Church Family picnic at Railway Institute hall in April..
Due to inclement weather, the combined churches Good Friday service was held in our church rather than in Guttridge Gardens as planned.
Chat n Choose continues to meet on Thursday morning in the school term.
Wednesday Get Together meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month when people meet for morning tea ,and fellowship and carpet bowls and table games.
The Food Hub continues to operate on Monday and Friday.
Franz and HeidiBrosch
Franz and Heidi Brosch
We are pleased to have welcomed our associate Pastor Franz and Heidi Brosch into our church family,
They input into our church services, with Heidi in the worship team and Franz on the keyboard.
Around the Churches Apr-May 2023
South
CITYWIDE
Clean Up Australia
On 5th March again participated in the Clean Up Australia Day, this year at three different locations. We did not hold a service at Mornington that day, and at Lenah Valley had a prayer time for those not in the field, linking into some of the sites for a report on what was happening. Evaluation of the day will see some changes for next year.
Renovations
There has been some energy and money expended in our first stage of some renovations. We painted our front rooms, and refreshed with new carpet, windows and blinds. Also there has been significant hours and work effected on our roof in a bid to fix numerous leaks. Fund raising is underway for stage 2.
Mission Partnership
Our BMA grant towards outreach to the Hindu community in Hobart has seen the purchase of a 12-seater bus and employment of a coordinator for two-days per week. to facilitate community services. This is now up and running. Praise God.
Anzac Day
In conjunction with the local RSL, we’ve had another exciting Anzac Day in the Park at Lenah Valley. This has grown to be a significant annual community event, this year with an estimated attendance of 800.
We offer various crafts and activities to suit the whole family, all with an Anzac Day theme. We gave away Sausages, drinks and Anzac biscuits. The public were involved and everyone has a fun time. Conversations take place, and links are established. Citywide is blessed by serving.
Good Friday dawn service; Lenah Valley clean-up team; Anzac Day in the Park
CLAREMONT
Garage Sale
Claremont Baptist members cleaned out their garages and storerooms to hold a very successful Garage Sale.
While we benefited financially the purpose was to open our doors to our community. We offered a free sausage sizzle and tea and coffee which gave us time to chat to people. At least four people told us they never knew there was a church on the corner (it is a quite inconspicuous building!) Church families got to socialise too and there was a wonderful atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the event also proved to be a Covid super-spreader! So, by Easter Sunday we only had eight attending.
A moving and intimate service, a wonderful time of rejoicing that Our Lord has Risen! On Good Friday we were also able to share in coffee and buns at Edge Anglican as has become our tradition.
Garage Sale Day at Claremont
HOBART
Sanctuary Sunday
On Sunday 19th March, Hobart Baptist celebrated Sanctuary Sunday when all our congregations gathered to worship together. This includes the Karen Community, Mabuhay (Filipino), Vietnamese Fellowships, as well as Hobart Vision Church (Korean). During the service, Yvette Ambrose was baptised.
The Vietnamese Christian Fellowship National Conference
From 11-14 April, almost 200 registrants from the mainland and Vietnam took over the building for their annual conference. Our Vietnamese Family Fellowship hosted the visitors.
Karen Wedding
Congratulations to Karen couple Pan Tay and Nya Le, who were married on Saturday 15th April by Joel Ortiz.
Pray for Christians in Kyiv
Pastor Anton, who we support in Kyiv, sent this message on 1st May. Please pray for him and the faithful people there who are providing hope, help and lodging for refugees: There was a missile attack 25km south of our refugee centre. Some of our men have been working in the rescue team and were able to help save some of the people in the attack.
SANCTUARY SUNDAY: Korean Youth dance; followed by a wonderful morning tea; Vietnamese Conference; Karen Wedding
